Corzine, Garner headed to national high school rodeo finals in Farmington, N.M.
Hard work and many hours of practice continue to pay off for two young rodeo competitors from Union County.
Kade Corzine and Tristin Garner are planning to compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo scheduled Sunday through Saturday, July 19-25, in Farmington, N.M.
Both are recent graduates of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.
Both have been competing in high school rodeo action for three years. In May, they were in action at a high school rodeo competition which took place in Anna.
Kade and Tristin have earned positions on the Illinois high school rodeo team, which will be traveling to New Mexico to compete in the 61st annual National High School Finals Rodeo, NHSFR. They will be competing in team roping.
Kade is the team’s “header.” Tristin is the “heeler.” The header ropes a cow’s horns. The heeler ropes the animal’s back two legs.
NHSFR is the world’s largest rodeo and features more than 1,500 contestants from 41 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia.
In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants also will be vying for more than $325,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a National High School Rodeo National Champion.
To earn the national champion title, contestants must finish in the top 20 after two go-rounds of competition before advancing to Saturday night’s final championship performance.
NHSFR is scheduled to air on RFD-TV. An audio web cast also is planned on <a href="http://Horsecity.com">Horsecity.com</a>. For more information, visit the website at <a href="http://www.nhsra.com">www.nhsra.com</a>.
Team roping champions
Kade and Tristin also were recently named as the Wrangler team roping champions at the Illinois State High School Finals Rodeo held in Altamont June 17-21.
In addition to receiving awards given out at the state level, each received Wrangler 20X jeans and a special Wrangler state event champion patch. They each also won a saddle